Page:Comical history of the collier's wedding.pdf/2

 COLLIER'S WEDDING

SING not of great Caeſar's might,

How brave he led his men to fight

Nor ſhew how haughty Cato dy'd

Or what could make him ſatisfy'd

Nor do I here attempt to tell

How Michael fought, or Satan fell.

I chooſe to ſing in ſtrains much lower,

Of Collier Lads, unuſing, before;

What ſport and feaſting do enſue,

When ſuch like mortals buckle to.

In former days when trade was good,

And men got money, clothes, and food,

When landlords were not too ſevere,

And tenants broke, not ev'ry year,

But liv'd in plenty, knew no need,

And had enough to do their deed;

Then country lads went neat and clean,

And laſſes comely to be ſeen:

Strove with each other ev'ry day

Who wou'd excel at work or play;

Where honeſt ſervants, virtuous wives

Led harmleſs incentive lives;

Their greateſt pride was juſt to know

When corn was ripe, or garſs wou'd mow,